The Southern Illinois School Press Association (SISPA) conference served as a dynamic and highly anticipated event where students from 15 local attending schools came together to showcase their talents in various press-related competitions, while several other schools submitted their own yearbooks for competition. This annual conference provided an excellent platform for students to demonstrate their skills in a range of categories, including journalism, photography, design, and writing, among others. Senior Bailee Atwood said, “It felt really good to win the golden dozen, because we worked so hard on the yearbook last year.”
Last year’s yearbook with the theme “Inside Out” placed in the Golden Dozen, which recognized excellence in yearbook production. This accolade was a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication of the students involved. The yearbook’s quality, attention to detail, and overall design were graded, making it one of the standout submissions in the entire competition. The book included a modern design featuring Plexiglass, with Wayne City one of the first schools in the surrounding states to incorporate the feature.
This year’s yearbook team continued to impress, securing a third-place finish in the competitive category of theme development. This achievement reflects the team’s ability to create a cohesive and captivating theme that ties the entire yearbook together, a crucial aspect of creating an engaging and memorable publication. The third-place finish in this category shows continued excellence, even as the competition becomes more challenging each year.
Among the many student achievements, senior JoAnna Leonardi won first place in the Yearbook Feature category. Her entry captured the essence of storytelling through captivating visuals and compelling narratives that resonated with the judges.
Additionally, Kenzie Seidel earned third place for her sports spread, further showcasing the diversity of talent at the conference. Her sports spread was an blend of dynamic action shots, well-written captions, and a layout that brought the excitement of the events to life on the page. Her accomplishment underscores the significance of both editorial skill and artistic design in capturing the spirit of school sports. Seidel said, “I feel great after placing at SISPA”
The SISPA conference not only fostered a sense of competition but also encourages collaboration, growth, and the exchange of ideas among students from different schools. These awards and achievements reflect the students’ hard work, creativity, and commitment to their craft. As the conference continues to grow, it serves as a valuable experience for young journalists and creators looking to make their mark in the world of school press.
